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    San Francisco Symphony

    4.3 (331 reviews)
    Closed 12:00 pm - 6:00 PM

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    Melissa A.

    Loved the show! Boyz to men are such classy gentlemen. Such a wonderful show. The staff are really top notch, well maintained areas. They politely asked people not to hang their belongings on the metal posts next to seat to prevent blockage of view. Things like that I take into consideration. Again, it was a beautiful evening

    Tiffany S.

    I love this venue, great acoustics, mic set up. I don't think there's a bad seat in the house.

    Upward
    Sonja S.

    Wow. What a way to spend a Thursday evening. Able to attend a reception after. The bartenders were all very friendly as well as the staff. My favorite was the pianist.

    View from the 2nd tier
    Andrea H.

    I attended a great event here. It was a showing of Encanto with music by the San Francisco Symphony. I ordered my tickets online and had them mailed to me. When I got there, it wasn't immediately clear which entrance to use. I waited by the upper doors, but couldn't enter that way. For some reason, everyone has to enter near the box office even if they already have tickets. Makes things a bit crowded right before the doors open. The elevators are slow enough to make you wonder if they ate working before they arrive. I found my seat, and it had a good view. The seats are a bit old, and as is standard in most theaters, they aren't very wide. It was a decently comfortable seat. The Orchestra itself was wonderful. I'd gladly seen another concert or movie with concert here. They had great energy and enthusiasm, and it looked like they were having fun with the music. At intermission I sought out food and drinks. The line for food was very long. It took most of intermission to wait on it. I ordered a sandwich and a soda. I ate half my sandwich and was about to head back in, but then I was told no eating in the theater. They did allow me to close the box and bring it with me, after offering to hold the food for me. They should have signs near the food stands warning people they only have intermission to eat. They offer main courses, but there's no time to eat them. I didn't see if the food stands were open before the show. If so, that would be the better time to eat as the doors open an hour before showtime. There are doors from the second tier that open onto lovely balconies with great views. Be sure to take a look. Overall, it was a great evening. I'd return, though I'd love to see a few minor organizational and signage changes.

    Lobby/concession areas during intermission ... it can get busy!
    Derek W.

    We attended a fantastic show this weekend at the symphony. Casino Royale was shown while the symphony played....I have seen this movie many times but this was the best by far! The buildings main entrance is on the street between the opera house which is pretty busy before the show started. We like using an Uber or Lift to avoid local parking as it can be expensive in that area. For the symphony you can't order your intermission food or beverage online. Helpful hint: you can order it with your bartender before the show starts. That way, it will be at a table waiting for you and you don't have to wait in line (the line can be long). Just look for the table with your name on it!!! There is really no bad seat in the place so purchase a ticket which matches your budget....the venue is awesome!!

    Symphony Dia de Los Muertos Concert
    Sharon S.

    What a full day at Davies Hall at its Annual SF Symphony Dia de Los Muertos concert! Known for its vibrant festivities for this concert, it is sold out year after year! There is an hour of free pre concert festivities where there are Mexican cultural groups performing, curated alters to admire, walking Katrinas and arts and crafts activities for all ticket holders! Following is a 90 minute colorful concert put on by its world class orchestra with guest conductor and artists. People who attend are happy AND excited , filled with anticipation for the concert! Many are dressed up and obviously into the SPIRIT of Dia! A fabulous Fiesta dinner is offered for patrons who desire to continue the celebration! If you haven't been to it, get your tickets for next year! Ticket prices are reasonable, usually start around $35!

    Seeing Titanic Live! at the San Francisco Symphony was nothing short of a dream come true. This experience had been on my bucket list for years, and it exceeded every expectation I had--and then some. From the very first swell of the orchestra, I was completely immersed. Watching James Cameron's Titanic--a film that already holds such emotional weight--paired with a live symphonic performance was transcendent. The San Francisco Symphony brought James Horner's iconic score to life with breathtaking precision and passion. Every note, every nuance was felt deep in my chest. The way the music soared during the ship's grand moments and swelled during its most heartbreaking scenes gave the story an even greater emotional impact. Hearing "My Heart Will Go On" performed live, surrounded by an audience just as emotionally invested as I was gave me a once-in-a-lifetime moment. I had chills. Actual chills. And many tears. I've always adored Titanic--the storytelling, the history, the romance, the heartbreak--and seeing it performed live like this felt like the perfect blend of cinematic and musical magic. It was more than a performance; it was an experience I'll never forget.

    The beautiful view out the windows of City Hall
    Joanna T.

    La La Land screening last night at San Francisco Symphony was magical. Conducting the musicians was Justin Hurwitz! He composed music for the film. There were albums which he signed at the event. The SFS even made a special cocktail called City of Light sold at the bar. Music, a strong drink and festival crowd made it a perfect night!!!

    SF Symphony's Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular at Shoreline Amphitheatre

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    Page 1 of 9

    Ask the Community - San Francisco Symphony

    Are the upper orchestra seats decent?

    Upper orchestra is fine, good sightlines, good sound, etc.

    What time does the box office open on Monday's?

    See the web site. It shows the hours. https://www.sfsymphony.org

    View All 4 Questions

    Review Highlights - San Francisco Symphony

    I'm definitely a fan of Alan Menken's music, so I absolutely appreciated the SF Symphony's performance of his work.

    Mentioned in 63 reviews

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    San Francisco Playhouse - Seat E109 view - M. BUTTERFLY by David Henry Hwang

    San Francisco Playhouse

    4.4(349 reviews)
    1.0 miUnion Square

    Such a great venue for a small, local theatre!…read more There is no bad seat in here. It's intimate and fun. Their shows have no business being that good. Bathrooms are clean and service is wonderful. I love the space--it's located upstairs in a hotel near Union Square. Support local theatre! Audience skews older. I think they need to market to younger people on social media more.

    I discovered this charming little theatre by accident when I saw that "M. Butterfly" (Madame…read moreButterfly) was playing here for a whole week during a very convenient time. I had always wanted to see this classic story on stage so I jumped at the opportunity. It is a small theatre so chances of a sold out show is high; definitely purchase tickets early. It is a small theatre hidden within the Kensington hotel on the second floor. There is a small bar area on the main floor of the theatre. Bathrooms were nice and clean. The front row of the balcony are the best seats and offers a perfect view of the stage; you can see everything as well as have a clear view of the actors' faces and the emotions. I think any row beyond the accessible seats you might have some obstruction from heads and may need to lean forward a little to see what's happening. I'd love to see more shows here. M. Butterfly had an excellent cast. The play was moving and enhanced so much history, culture, politics, romance, drama, gender, and sexuality.

    Photos
    San Francisco Playhouse - Stage and playbill

    Stage and playbill

    San Francisco Playhouse - Show posters for Flex

    Show posters for Flex

    San Francisco Playhouse - All Gender Bathrooms on the 3rd Floor

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    All Gender Bathrooms on the 3rd Floor

    The Speakeasy - Lounge

    The Speakeasy

    4.4(336 reviews)
    1.6 miNorth Beach/Telegraph Hill, Russian Hill
    $$$

    Hidden two floors below China Live Restaurant on Broadway Street is an entertainment space called…read moreThe Speakeasy (also the Palace Theater). I went to see a show " Italiani Veri "  last night. Fabulous cabaret-type show with performer Arianna. She's a true (veri) Italian from Milan who sang, danced and explained Italian culture as part of the entertainment. She has an amazing voice! She could have been a finalist at the San Remo Music Festival - the most famous singing festival in Italy. She fessed up saying she had been an Italian Mouseketeer! The venue has a bar/lounge to enjoy cocktails then a few steps down further is the theater. You need to be mobile since there are a lot of steps. Seating is first come-first serve. I have to admit that seating is quite tight. You are shoulder to shoulder with your neighbors. Get cozy folks. They typically have magic shows here! If you want to see a historic night club, this would be the venue to come to and enjoy a show. Italiani Veri show was a real treat! Highly recommend it!

    My hubby and I had an amazing time!…read more We attended the 8P show for: We Call It Jazz, A Journey to The Heart of New Orleans. I bought our tickets through FEVER and got the rail seating. Very good view From entering to sitting down, we were well taken care of I had bought two tickets online but when checking in, it only showed one- I pulled up my ticket and the usher at the front quickly apologized and got us situated I really appreciate the quickness Everyone was super friendly We stopped by the bar before the show started and got some drinks Music was spectacular One of the best live shows I've got to experienced Definitely made me want to check out their other events 10/10 phenomenal!

    Photos
    The Speakeasy
    The Speakeasy
    The Speakeasy - The Speakeasy {5/4/2025}

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    The Speakeasy {5/4/2025}

    Secret Improv Society

    Secret Improv Society

    4.5(216 reviews)
    1.0 miUnion Square
    $
    Full bar
    Large group friendly

    My wife and I decided to go for a new comedy experience by checking out an improv show at Secret…read moreImprov Society, and we're sure glad that we did. Let's get into it... Ambiance - After getting your tickets from the ticket booth, you go down a sharp flight of stairs which dumps you out into a bar area with two large doors on both sides of the room. The room on the right-hand side is where they have stand-up comedy (Cheaper than Therapy), and the left hand side is where the Improv show takes place. You wait in the bar area until the doors open. Once you enter, there are a handful of rows of chairs (barstool style with backs) and it's general admission. It's a pretty cozy area, maybe fitting around 50 people or so if I had to guess. Before the show, one of the improv team members came around offering Oreos to guests. We did not partake, but if you like Oreos you're in for a treat. The show itself was great. There were four improv comedians and they took a bunch of crowd suggestions and tailor-made a show based around our suggestions. The show itself is about an hour and a half, but didn't feel like it was that long at all. When it ended, I was shocked that an hour and a half had passed already. Time truly does fly when you're having a great time! I would definitely return again as we had a blast and really enjoyed the quick wit the improv team had to offer. I would highly recommend checking them out!

    Incredibly fun and very inexpensive. Beware, outside a sign just says "better than therapy" which…read moreis a comedy club in an adjacent room at the same address. Also it was good that we got there a bit early in time to get drinks (a nice large selection). Small to moderate intimate theater with very talented keyboard player who "improvised the music" with each skit all night long. "Actors" were very personable and talented--so much fun--we will reco to all SF friends and family

    Photos
    Secret Improv Society - Some of the Secret Improv Cast with our new T Shirts

    Some of the Secret Improv Cast with our new T Shirts

    Secret Improv Society - We offer improv classes to all levels

    We offer improv classes to all levels

    Secret Improv Society - Stage during show

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    Stage during show

    Palace of Fine Arts Theatre - Inside the theatre

    Palace of Fine Arts Theatre

    4.1(79 reviews)
    2.3 miMarina/Cow Hollow

    Went to the Palace of Fine Arts Theater for the first time last week for a comedy show. We got…read morethere an hour before the show began to walk around the area (so beautiful) & because we had issues with our tickets and needed to go to will-call. Turns out that everyone had to stand in this will-call line to get physical tickets even though they were purchased online. Seemed odd, however, show up early to avoid the line and enjoy the scenic vibe around before the show. There's free parking (after 4P I believe) super close to the theater-- literally steps. We had to lock up our phones in a pouch for this specific event but it's so beautiful indoors as well. They had a bar area that many people enjoyed. Bathrooms are a bit crammed but nothing new to venues. It's a more intimate venue. It reminds me of a large college class room. Each seat seems like a great view, even last row. We found our seats easily, space between seats are more spacious than other places, no cup holders sucks but you can put your drink under the seat if needed. Audio and lighting was good & I look forward to checking out future events here.

    Loved the cozy, intimate nature of this venue and comfortable seatings…read more We visited for the Demetri Martin Quick Draw Tour, and it was a perfect size for a standup comedy show. Demetri was able to engage with the audience in ways that aren't typically possible in a larger venue (like the Masonic). Note that the venue can be hard to find, especially if the event was advertised as being at the "Palace of Fine Arts." The Theater is around the corner, and there are very limited signs. Like many reviewers, we spent time wandering around trying to find the entrance. It is on the west side of the venue, not near the famous dome. If you're driving/Ubering, be sure to enter the destination as the Theater, and not just the Palace of Fine Arts, as the entrance are on opposite sides of the property. There is very limited food and drink offered, and you're not allowed to bring any food into the auditorium (covered drinks are allowed). This was a bit of an inconvenience for a show running 7-9pm right during dinner time. We were hoping for at least some popcorn for during the show. Bathrooms are small and awkwardly laid out, leading to long lines, confusing, and tight spaces. This is made worse by the fact that each row is ~50 seats across with the only aisles on the ends - this makes it very hard for anyone not seated on the very ends to leave during the show to go to the restroom. As a result, there was a massive rush to the restroom after the show and a 20 minute wait for the men's restroom (I shudder to think how long the women's line was.

    Photos
    Palace of Fine Arts Theatre - Corinne Bailey Rae 7/14/2022

    Corinne Bailey Rae 7/14/2022

    Palace of Fine Arts Theatre - Inside the theatre

    Inside the theatre

    Palace of Fine Arts Theatre

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    San Francisco Symphony - theater - Updated May 2026

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